The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-03
The Story Of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account of
a Mutiny at Sea.
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL.
CHAPTER XIV.

1Ong-DOdJ anu one . lucLl uudTtcF-DOdIS-
The quarter-boat can tow the long-boat
II it's calm. Why Iax'd you how many
the long-boat nd carry, was because
we don't want to overload the quar-
'ter-boat We can use her as tender
for stores and water, do you see, so
that if we get to barren place we
shan't starve."
Il understand"
Them two boats'll be enough, any
ways"
Il should say so. They'd carry
thirty persons between them, an
swercd.
To satisfy himself he went and took
another look at the boats, and after
ward called Johnson up 10 him.
They talked together for some time
and then procuring chisei and hatchet
got into the port quarter-boat and pro-
ceeded TO rip a portion of the planking
out OF her. My rage and modification
were so great ct this action. which was
clearl ytaken to prevent our escaping aft
or they had deserted US upon the sinking
ship, that / did not trust myself to
speak to the carpenter. although he
stood by me after the work was done
evidently expecting me to question
him.
The men then proceeded to load the
remaining quartor-bOat with about a
quarter more provisions than she was
fit to carry. They also supplied the
lOng-boat with sails, oars and other ar
tcles necessary to the expected cruise
in her.
After had taken the suns altitude
at noon and while the carpenter and l
were in the cabin, where | had been
working out my observations, l said TO
him:
Perhaps you'll sit down for five
minutes, Mr.. Stevens, and inform me
exactly of your arrangements; for it is
difficult for me to do my share in this
job unless l accurately know what
yours is to be"
He looked at me as&ant, his villain
Gus eyes right in the corners of their
sockets, bat sat down. nevertheless,
and titlted his cap over his forehead in
order to scratch the back of his head
Il thought YOU knew what our plans
was?" he remarked.
why, I've got kind of general
notion of them. but should like to I'M
derStand them more clearly"
"WeH, | thought they was clear
clear as mud in a wine-glass. Least
ways, they're clear to all hands"
For instance, why did you knock |
hole in the quarter-boat this morn |
ing?"
Il didn't think you'd want that ex-
planned he answered, promptly.
''But you see do. Mr.. Stevens"
''Well, we only want two boats and |
it nd be silly lookout to leave the |
third one sound and tight, to drift
about with the Grosvcnor's name writ |
inside o her"
"Why?"
because / say it would"
How could she drift about if she
were up at the davits?"
How do | know" he answered.
morosely. I'm lookin' at things as
may happen. 1t ain for me to explain
of them"
Very well" said l, master enough
of the ruffian's meaning TO require no
further information on this point.
ANY thing more, Mr.. Rovle?"
YES. The next matter is this: You
gave me to understand that we should
heavc the ship TO ut night?"
''Sartinly. As soon as ever it comes
on dusk, SO as we shall have all night
before us to get well away"
''Do YOU mean to leave her with her
canvas standingP"
just as she is when she's hove to-
Some ship may sight her and find
ing her abandoned, send crew on
board to work her. to the nearest
port"
thought this might tempt him to
admit that she was to be scuttled,
which confession need not necessarily
have involved the information that |
and the others were to be left on
board.
But the fellow was too cunning to
hint at such thing.
''Let them rs finds her keep her. d" he
said, getting up. That's their con-
sarn. Any more questions, Mr..
Royle?"
''Arc we to take our clothes with
us?''
He grinned in the oldest manner.
mo. Them as has wallyables may
shove 'em into their pockets; but no
kits II be allowed in the boats. We're
a poor lot o shipwrecked sailors
mariners, as the newspapers calls us
come away from n ship that was
settlin' under oar legs afore we had
the arts TO leave her. We just had
time to wit:ol the boats and stand for
the shore. We depend upon Christian
kindness for clip; and if we fails foul
o. missionary, leave me alone TO
make him vurship our pietv. The
skipper he fell mad and jumped over
board. The chief mate he lost his life
by springin' into vun O the boats and
missin' of it; and the second mate he
stuck to the ship for the love
he bore her owners. and we presume,
went down with her"
''Ohr l calculated. forcing laugh;
''then | am not to admit that | am the
second mate, when questioned?'
He stared at me as if he were |
drunk, and cried, You" then burst
into laugh, and hit me a slap on the
back.
ABR he exclaimed. Il forgot OF
course you IL not be second mate when
You get ashore.
What then?"
"Why, paSSenger-a parson-the |
ships doctor Wen tell YOU wot TO
say as we go along.
And with leering grin and an ugly
word he left the cabin.
CHAPTER XVI.
made up my mind, as Stevens left
me, to bring this terrible time to an J
end OH Friday afternoon. come what t